I was fortunate to grow up at time and in an area where regular youth revivals and retreats were held. I have fond memories of these events. Some were very emotional but all led me to stop and question how I should lead my life and what I should do with it.

As I grew into adulthood there were occasional church services and retreats that provided time to step back from the world and be renewed. However, these seemed to get fewer and fewer.

Several years ago, I was able to attend a retreat that turned out to be special for me. I can remember thinking and feeling that the retreat community interacted, supported, and loved each other much like I imagined heaven to be. There was time to interact as a whole, in small groups, and for individual reflection. The highlight for me was the communion service. Two people led the service without saying a word. However, the message was very clear. It concluded with the opportunity to step forward and drive a nail into the cross as a symbol of laying my burdens at the foot of the cross. Just the memory of that weekend can renew my spirit.

While we work for God, we still need time apart from doing to just be with Christ.

Ever-loving God, please help me to find time to stop and just spend time with you, renewing my spirit and helping me do and say the things that please you. Amen.

This devotional was written by Alvin Jenkins and read by Greta Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Paul wrote these words from prison in what has been called his most personal letter in the New Testament. The church at Philippi functioned in a city dedicated to emperor worship, and so they experienced the same sort of threat to their existence experienced by Paul. In such circumstances, it’s even more striking that Paul’s prayer isn’t for safety or deliverance, but that the Philippians' love would grow. He called it the basis for the ability to “determine what is best,” as the New Revised Standard Version has it, or to “decide what really matters” as the Common English Bible translates it.

What really matters? Jesus said in John 13:35, “This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” He didn’t say we would be recognized by the translation of the Bible we use, or following the 10 Commandments, or adherence to a particular mode of baptism. The only mark Jesus gave for his followers was the same one named by Paul: love.

The letter to the Philippians explores all sorts of theological concepts, but everything ultimately comes down to this love, leading to the fruit of righteousness, “which comes from Jesus Christ.”

Followers of Jesus may differ on many things. It’s not that those things don’t matter at all—just that they don’t really matter, especially when they interfere with that which matters most. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul wrote, “If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have love, I’m nothing…. As for knowledge, it will be brought to an end…. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known. Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.” Yes, friends, we need to concern ourselves with proper doctrine, proper understanding of Scripture. But that’s not the most important thing for followers of Jesus.

Let’s pray for what Paul prayed for.

Dear Father, through your Holy Spirit guide us in opening our hearts in agape love. Open us to those with whom we might differ as we recognize our common need for the healing love of Jesus. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Donn King.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

I'm reminded of the story about the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery in November of 1863. Politician and orator Edward Everett was invited to give the keynote address. President Abraham Lincoln was invited, almost as a courtesy, to say "a few appropriate remarks."

Everett delivered an eloquent, broad-ranging speech of almost two hours. His speech was full of beautiful language, and with logic explained the significance and the tragedy of the Battle of Gettysburg, considered by many the turning point of the civil war. He delivered the entire speech from memory.

When Everett finished, President Lincoln walked to the podium, put on his spectacles, and read from his notes: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." Two minutes later, the President returned to his seat. Two minutes. 272 words.

Few people remember Everett's speech, while Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" is considered by many one of the greatest speeches ever given.

Which speech was better? I think the question is moot. Both speeches were great. Both men expressed their heartfelt views and opinions and did so with grace and eloquence. The point is that both men used the words and time required to express their thoughts.

I believe it is the same with prayer. How many times do we read in the Bible that Jesus went off by himself to pray, sometimes for hours? Jesus had the closest possible relationship to God the Father. He carried the heaviest burden of any man who ever lived - paying the price for our sins, It is not surprising that he spent hours in prayer. That's what it took for him to do what he needed to do.

I've come to realize that, with prayer, it is not necessarily how long we pray or how eloquently we express ourselves, but more about the sincerity and depth of our words. Prayer is direct communication with God. We don't need to impress Him. He knows what we think, what we feel, what we need, and what we desire. Prayer is a time we express to God what is on our hearts and minds, then to listen, to hear, and to understand.

How long should we pray? We should pray often, and for as long as it takes.

Father, thank you for the gift of prayer. We need time with you like we need air. We love you and covet your love for us. Thank you for the gift of salvation, which makes it all possible. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Cliff McCartney

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.